So very torn. *pics

Fools Motto

Fools Motto

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My sister in law has bred a litter of springer spaniel pups.
I'm going to be honest, they are not my breed in any way. I adore lurchers, whippets and lab sorts. Myself, husband and 2 kids live in private rented accommodation, with a generous sized garden, and almost secure fencing! We have an 11 yr old whippet x lab bitch, who is my world. She is very tolerant, and would make a brilliant role model, i also have my worries I'd be hurting her feelings with a younger tear away!
We have good walks around us too.
OH loves springers, he treats them more of a play thing than anything else, prefering them to roll over and beg rather than be behaved on leads and with other dogs.
Our rented agreement states only 1 pet. Our land lady leaves us to our own devices and has only 'inspected' us twice in 4 years. OH (and his family) state we could easily get around this issue.
OH wants this puppy.

puppy2_zpszcdgnwx1.jpg


We could get her as a family present.
I'm happy with the puppy stuff that all puppies do. Just don't know whether or not I should go ahead as they are not my sort of dogs.
Plus, new job starting tomorrow, and although chances are pup CAN come with me, it is another thing to consider.
She is cute. But, she is a springer.
Help.
 
Why are they not your type of dog? We have a cocker and two springers, one being a pup we've only had 3 weeks, and they are both just lovely.

Willow our bitch is almost 3 now and has really chilled out. She's so trainable, all she wants to do is please, and she has the sweetest temperament. She also works and she's brilliant. If pup turns out anything like her we'll be thrilled!

I do absolutely think they need a job to do to keep their minds working though - whether they work, do agility (I have a friend who does agility with willows brother and he's great) or even just gundog training stuff without working. They just love it.

Plus she's adorable and you should absolutely get her! Although ours has just trotted in looking like she's been rolling in chicken poo!!
 
Working bred? They need a job, be it as a gundog, agility etc. They are a vehicle for a nose and often become bogoff dogs about 8-12 months without lots of recall training. I wouldn't be without mine, they are working dogs though doing tests and rabbit over the summer before the shooting season starts. I got one of mine at just under a year as he had been bought by a pet home and was insufferable - chasing livestock, food agressive, dog agressive. All because he was under stimulated and untrained!

They are wonderful dogs if you have the time and effort to put in :)
 
I would settle into job for week or two at least then check the situation, its one thing taking older dog to work who will sleep calmly most of time under desk but a crying poo/wee machine who you will be toilet training may be asking a bit much. Also she will be very very active soon!! Gorgeous though!
 
Nope wouldn't get the pup - I do understand the appeal, they are absolutely gorgeous, but if you are a whippet/lurcher fan then a springer will never really be good enough.... unless you can get a lurcher pup too of course.... :)
 
Puppies are cute! But what would you do if your landlady enforced her 1 dog rule? It is also rather disrespectful to ignore her rules. Unless you are prepared to move or give up 1 dog I would leave it for now. There will be other puppies.
 
I would pass on the pup until you either have your own place or get an agreement with your landlord that lets you have the extra dog. Sorry.
 
jrp204 said:
Puppies are cute! But what would you do if your landlady enforced her 1 dog rule? It is also rather disrespectful to ignore her rules. Unless you are prepared to move or give up 1 dog I would leave it for now. There will be other puppies.
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I agree with this, I suggest if your OH is so keen he goes and speaks to your landlady, no rescue would allow you a dog under those circumstances if the landlady isnt on board.
 
too risky IMO to get another dog if your lease states 1 pet only.... how awful for the puppy to be rehomed again if your landlady is strict...also a springer is not as laid back as a lurcher and will need plenty to do......tell OH he will have to wait till you have your own place!!! I do agree the pup looks very sweet..but they all do.....
 
No. Not unless:

1 - you clarify the situation with your landlady before you buy it - "getting around it" is breaching the terms of your tenancy agreement.

2 - you have a job for it further than your OH rolling it over and tickling its tummy. Springers are a working breed - they need a lot of physical and mental stimulation. If you don't get the training right when they are younger, you will have massive problems when they are older.

3 - You decide to like the breed. Don't get a breed you don't like.
 
Don't get a breed you don't like. Springers are an intelligent breed that need boundaries and training. Your OH sounds like he'd treat it more like a toy.

If I were your landlady and you hadn't asked me in advance, you'd be gone. Do the right thing and ask her permission if you're going to do this.
 
You have given an awful lot of reasons not to...

Of course it's cute - all puppies are cute. And if your OH wants one, he'd need to show a real commitment to training rather than just being there for the fuzz and cuddles. An 'almost' secure garden is not going to work for most springers, and taking it on without the consent of your landlord is a really high-risk idea.
 
jrp204 said:
Puppies are cute! But what would you do if your landlady enforced her 1 dog rule? It is also rather disrespectful to ignore her rules. Unless you are prepared to move or give up 1 dog I would leave it for now. There will be other puppies.
Click to expand...

I agree with this , I think you would be mad to get another dog let alone a puppy .
You have children do you want to risk uprooting them because your OH thinks the pup is cute ( it is very very cute ).
Springers need a lot of time training and exercise they don't need necessarily be gun dogs but they certainly need commitment my friend always has a springer ever day winter and summer she was out before work ( in a head torch in winter ) either mountain biking or running with the dog in our local forest at six thirty am .who is going to that for this pup?
 
Archangel said:
I would pass on the pup until you either have your own place or get an agreement with your landlord that lets you have the extra dog. Sorry.
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this, its the only reason you need atm but the new job and new puppy thing wouldnt be a breeze either. Plus, it's not at puppy stage they are challenging, its teenage and upwards (from about 9months to 7 years..)
 
Fools Motto,

I'm afraid that I'm going to join with just about everyone else, and counsel against this puppy. Sqwidgy-widgy puppies can turn in to a nightmare, just as easily as any other. Springers aren't for everyone. Some will be placid and calm, but many will demand your focused attention, attention which it seems may be in short supply.

Anyway, that's it. Sorry.

Alec.
 
Im afraid Im with the "no's" both as a landlord and as a springer devotee. If you breach the terms of your tenancy you are putting your home at risk and in the present climate that would be foolish, especially as you would probably not get a very good reference going forward. If you must get another dog then at least get one that you both agree you like, gun dogs do need some focus, without it you may well end up with a problem dog.
 
Update...
I've read all replies, (and so has OH). Feel almost guilty that I'm not doing as I'm told!

First step we did was contact the land lady, who has agreed that we can get another dog, however it must be confined to the kitchen, and we must replace all damages. We would do that anyway. Our kitchen vinyl floor has been shredded anyway with chairs scraping it up - she knew about this and was prepared to replace this for us before the year is out, but now agreed she won't, and we will once the dog is trained.
We also have to re-fence the right side of the garden. Current issue is the old fence which was in bits when we moved in, is now under a hedge of brambles, probably not springer proof.
Both my new job, (yard work with ponies and teaching children) welcome dogs, but I'm still reluctant to take until has recall as there are also sheep. Worst case, she'll be confined to the yard and dry turnout area if I have to take.
OH also has permission to take to his job. Office job, but on an estate with lovely walks.
Also got neighbour in on this venture, so if we are unable to have her with us, he will be on hand to do whatever is needed. (and he can't wait!)

My biggest issue, is with my mum. Big dog fan, but not really a liver and white springer fan. I think she'll be disappointed with the decision to go ahead. Which, if I'm honest wasn't my decision, OH has done everything and almost gone behind my back in this, but then he played the blackmail card.... I DID get my old young NF filly 5 years ago and never told him she was mine til I sold her...

So, all in all, Rosie will be coming home....
A small part is getting excited.

OH HECK. lol


PS.... we've looked into agility and fly ball, there is a club 5 miles away, and OH wants to enroll. Hope that works... OH will be kicked into shape, and Rosie will get her 'kicks'!?
 
Good luck I have a 7 month old springer who I adore, have always had multiple dogs but the springer is a whole new ball game.

Great fun, very trainable but need time and commitment. If you can give both you will reap the rewards! PS they can't do proper agility or flyball until they are a year old.
 
Congratulations :). Fab update, you sound a lot more sorted than in your OP. So will she be with your neighbour while you're both at work until she's had all her vaccs to be able to go with you?
 
Just be aware, as I am sure you are, that having a recall does not mean that a young hunt-driven pup will be safe around sheep, especially as this is where you work and presumably will be doing other things and not able to keep a beady eye on pup 100% of the time.. Also, if the estate you mention has phezzies or other livestock, the same would apply.
 
My three are all awful with sheep. I still think it's a bad idea, particularly after what you said your OH will do with it. Depends on the breeding, but some springers will need a job, or to be focused when out. One of mine needs a ball/dummy, or he will go AWOL, in fact, he and his brother did a runner yesterday at the river, brief, but horrible. Lots of springers are handed into rescue annually, 'too much' for their owners, who just haven't trained them enough be consistent, firm, focus her.

I recommend getting a gundog trainer and training the pup to the whistle. Yes, definitely dog proof the garden properly, mine will get through any holes available to go and play in the park across the main road.
 
Echo what others have said RE recall. Both of ours are trained to a whistle and trained gun dogs but when they are not "working" you have to have ten eyes around you for sheep, cats and wondering game. You really do need to devote a lot of time to their physical and mental exercise otherwise she will run rings around you.
 
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